Title: Shattered
Author: Helen Hardt
Publisher: Waterhouse Press
Series: Steel Brothers Saga # 7
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Shattered" by Helen Hardt

My Synopsis....

This was another good Steel Brothers Saga # 7 that featured mainly Ryan and Ruby along with the rest of the brothers, sister and sister in laws. We find the two older brothers are getting married and all are in Jamaica having a good time. But something will happen to two of the guest at the resort that will shorten their trip. Upon coming home Ryan and Ruby seem to be coming together with such hot and steamy chemistry however, after a text and phone call will cause secrets to start coming out that will put quite a damper on this relationship. How will this situation be handled by the other family members and even Ruby as she is involved too? Even toward the end of this series both Ryan and Ruby will receive a phone call that will send this twisted intensed story into a cliffhanger for this novel and will only leave the reader wanting to know more. Hopeful in the end Ryan and Ruby will get to a HEA.

Shattered
By: Helena Hardt
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Let me just quickly say that I'm a huge fan of this author. She is the only author I haven't quit on with cliffhanger ending. With that being said my heart can't take much more....sighs.

In the continuing saga of the Steel brothers we get to focus on baby brother Ryan and his love interest Ruby. Attending his older brothers Jonah and Talon's wedding to their brides on a tropical island getaway for a double wedding what could happen? We met Ruby Lee in previous books and know that her life has been incredibly hard. Being asked to attend the wedding as a maid of honor is the last thing she ever expected, her father has not only caused her unbearable pain but the Steel family more than anyone could imagine.

Ryan and Ruby have an incredibly sweet romance while at the wedding. What happens once they return to real life and everything that haunts their lives.

Ryan a kind, fun and loyal brother has so much guilt and admiration towards his brother Talon who saved him from the same nightmare he went through. His family is incredibly close after all they've gone through. What Ryan never expects is that those he trusts the most in the world haven't trusted him enough with his own truths and not only that but asks Ruby Lee to help them find the truth.

This book is packed full of so many feels page after page. Between tender moments and understanding you also get more questions than answers that make you want to scream from the injustice of having to wait for the next book.

Written not only well but also in dual POV my personal favorite.

Thanks not on to the author but to Netgally for letting me read and review!!!

Give me more of the Steele brothers , yum! This story was delicious . I was happy to finally read his story!

Having read a Helen Hardy book before, I was better prepared for the complete cliffhanger ending. That doesn't mean I was happy that I have to wait a couple of months to continue the story, but I did enjoy reading about Ryan & Ruby. There's a lot of connections to keep up with in this story, so don't blink. But it's worth diving into the series, especially if you've read about Jonah & Talon's stories in previous novels. I recommend reading this book & look forward to the next one.

This is the seventh book in the Steele brothers saga. This book follows Ryan (the youngest brother) and Ruby. Ryan has been pretty much MIA in the previous books but OMG!! He is defiantly worth the wait. A lot of twists and turns just like in the previous books and wait till the last sentence of the book.....WOW!!! Can't wait till the next one thank you Helen Hardt.

I would like to thanks Waterhouse Press and Netgalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

******MATURE READERS ONLY******

Book 7!! What was I thinking? Especially, since I had not read the previous 6 books. I just kept thinking that I hope I don’t regret this and I did. Now saying that, it was easy to follow along but I could tell that I missed a lot of the back stories and major players in the books. The fact that this book is the start of a new couple probably helped me to follow along.

This book is intense. There was so much going on that it kept me engaged and wondering what was coming next. There were so many twists and turn and secrets coming out that I truly felt terrible for these (grown) children. From just reading book 7 their parents are horrible. The timeline moved pretty quickly and when that is usually a complaint from me it seemed to work for this book.

Usually the whole boy meets girl insta relationship is a turn off but I was actually rooting for them. Maybe it’s that they were both pretty much alone but Helen Hardt you made it work. The sex scenes are very explicit and again this is not recommended for young readers.

Ryan and Ruby = Awesome chemistry. For two people not wanting to be in a relationship they pretty much dove in head first. I love the internal dialog that plays in both of their heads, especially, in the early stages of getting to know each other. Ruby is tough as nails, guarded against men because of her past and just trying to make the world right. Ryan is very charming, good looking and can get anyone he wants. He quickly discovers that he wants Ruby.

This author was new to me and I am sorry that I didn’t read the first 6 books. It’s a pretty dark romance and can cause triggers for some so it should come with a warning label. Very mature content. It ends in a terrible cliffhanger!! Yeah I definitely want to read what comes next.

Helen Hardt you ROCK!!!!! I thought that this book will end after book 3 however the Ms. Hardt has more coming. I am looking forward from this author. I can not wait for more please

All I can say is "WOW"! Normally I'm not a big fan of continuing books, but with these, I can't wait for the next installment. I usually like series that each have an ending for all of the books in that series with no cliffhangers. But, the way Helen Hardt writes, I'm changing my tune. The characters are two dimensional and are victims in their own way. It shows that you don't have to be the actual victim of the crime to have residual effects. The crime against one person in a family effects everyone in the family and effects family members of the perpetrators. Both Ruby and Ryan have a lot to deal with, some that weren't expected. Ruby has had a long time to live with what her father has done but Ryan has had time to deal with what happened to his brother. So the fact that there are more aftershocks that he has to deal with now that he has found someone that understands him is disheartening. I can't wait for the next installment. I want answers just as much as the Steele's do but I don't want it to end.

First of all, you have to read the Steel Brothers Saga in order because there's an amazing and interesting continuing storyline you don't want to miss. Warning: When you finish the book you will want more.
Now that Jonah and Talon found their happily ever after, it's Ryan's turn! He meets Ruby on the way to Jonah and Talon's destination wedding. So what happens when Ryan upgrades her plane ticket from coach to first class?  Ryan wonders what's under her baggy clothing. After unlimited amounts of alcohol and romance on a spectacular island vacation, Ryan falls hard for Ruby. She's brilliant, pure, and hot. Ryan's fantasies come true when he  finds out how hot her body is after Jade/Marjorie's makeover.

Ryan feels bad about his lack of participation in the family melodrama, and he's determined to repair that. He enjoys himself, but he notices his brothers acting weird. His older brothers are withholding something important. He decides to brush it off as wedding jitters. The Steel family has a limitless amount of drama and secrets. I turned the pages like a kid who ate too much Halloween candy. When Ryan finds out "the enormous secret" he's furious. He feels so alone and ends up on Ruby's doorstep. Ruby is his safe space. She betrayed him, but he can overlook that for now because she allows him to take his passion and aggression out on her. I was stunned yet I couldn't stop turning the pages! I was hooked on Ruby/Ryan's epic chemistry.

Ruby has many secrets of her own. She hides her body and makes herself look unattractive on purpose, yet she works out like a gym rat. She thinks hot rancher Ryan is SO above her. A hot rancher wouldn't be the least bit interested in a mousy police detective, right? Their relationship progresses faster than a bear on a campground. Ruby's skeptical about trusting Ryan because of her own dark history. It turns out, Ryan and Ruby have shared secrets.

The continuing storyline kept me engaged. Secrets are coming out of the woodwork, and Ryan's entire outlook on life changes. His reaction to the extraordinary news coming from his brothers differs vastly from Ruby's. Ruby's afraid she's lost him forever.

Ruby/Ryan's story doesn't end with "Shattered." DUN DUN DUNNN...there's a big cliffhanger. To be continued.

 

Trigger Warning: This book contains flashbacks of sexual abuse and adult situations.

Shattered equals destroyed and in many ways this book takes you on a journey. When I first started this book I was so involved in these characters I couldn't stop reading. I put everything I had to do aside until I was able to complete the read. Helen Hardt was able to tell this compelling story in a way that a reader would never get to a point where they said I give up I don't want to read it anymore. Instead it was the opposite where I said I can't sleep until I finish this read excellent book.

This is the first book I have read from this author but, it most definitely will not be the last! This is part of a series about 3 brothers and a sister who have had to deal with the fact that their father was part of a pedophile, sex slave group. Ryan Steel is the youngest of the brothers and, happy that his two oldest brothers have found the loves of their lives and are having a double wedding in Jamaica. Detective Ruby Lee has become the best friend of one his new sisters-in-law so, they meet at the resort. The attraction between the two is immediate and scorching and just gets hotter! They decide to all work together to hunt down even more info about their parents and the sick group that they were part of. Problem is that there is some possible new info that the rest of the Steels want on Ryan, without his knowledge. Ruby agrees to help, without telling Ryan , knowing that he may never forgive her once he finds out what she's done. I could not put this book down! It is enthralling, action-packed, heart breaking and all about what real love truly means.

Whoa, what the heck kind of series did I just drop myself into the middle of?! Only I would start on book 7 of course. And she gets me totally into the story, and the mystery, and all the action, then I see it's at 95% and there is No. Way. that it will wrap up in time. Cliffy? Reallly?????

Ok so Shattered is the first book I have EVER read by Helen Hardt. I am so intrigued by this whole series I need to go back to the beginning and catch up. I was able to read this as a standalone, though I imagine the next one you can't because, well, cliffy. Anywho, the author's writing style really gels with me, I was totally invested in the characters. All the Steels are a close knit group. Ryan is a little happier go lucky than the others, but he goes through a lot in this book. He's also apparently the most handsome, ooh la la! Ruby has pretty much sheltered herself and hid behind drab clothes, but she's kind of emerging out of her shell. These two both have seriously rough pasts and a pretty crazy present to be honest. I am for sure reading the next one, can I have it now?? Please????

This series is so intriguing, I read this book in a matter of hours. I could not put it down, My emotions are in such turmoil over Ryan and Ruby. The next book cannot come quick enough!!

The ending to this book left me shocked and riveted. I honestly can't wait for the next book to come out to see how it unfolds. The love story was intense and what they thought they knew about their parents was nothing compared to the truth. Although I had a hard time connecting with the characters I am glad I stuck it out until the end.

I enjoyed this book but did not realize it was not a stand alone story... Helen kept me involved through the whole book.....I would have enjoyed it a lot more even if is a continuing story if Ryan and Ruby could have had a HEA....

***Received ARC from Netgally for Honest Review***
I Give This Book 4 Stars.
Thank You Punlisher & Author
I Really enjoyed this book, I'm Not into Spoilers.
It was evenly paced and easy to follow, So for example; if you put your book down to do something and then return to reading, it was easy to remember where you left off.
This Book is Fast Paced, the romance wasn't rushed and eases very nicely into suspense and ends With Cliff Hanger.

In this Book it's kinda like an Introduction to Ryan, despite already knowing him.
You learn more about him and not just his wine business, but even after reading I still have not learned MUCH about Ryan.
It's like he's a side character, despite this being HIS book.
In Jonahs book you already learn most about Ruby, but in this book you know a heck of a lot more about her, but Not Ryan.
Just when your getting to know Ryan, you flip the page and it's a Cliffhanger.
If you've read previous books, you would already expect that.
I'm Highly Anticipating the Next Book

This was another great installment in the series! Fast moving story with likeable characters and moments that left me swooning. I enjoyed the balance of mystery and romance, kept me interested! I really enjoy this series and this one didn't disappoint! Would recommend!

OMG this book is so good. At the beginning it is a nice sweet blooming romance. Ryan gets to know Ruby more while they are at Talon and Jonah's wedding. Ryan and Ruby become close on this little vacation. When they return to their hometown things start to happen that throws Ryan's world out of sync. Towards the end of this book, you find out more about what was going on with his father and the future lawmakers and trust me it will leave you pole plexed. And of course in her own evil way Helen leaves you wanting more. Her cliffhangers are famous for making you want the next book now. Can not wait for Twisted to come out in December of this year. I'm so worried about what is going to happen to Ryan that it is driving me crazy (in a good way).
Thanks Helen for making me CRAVE (lol) these books. You are the best

It is wedding time for two of the Steel brothers! We are going to Jamaica, Mon!

The whole gang is here! They are actually pairing up... Bryce with Marj, Joe with Melanie are getting married, Talon and Jade are also walking down the aisle, and that leaves Ruby with Ryan. Those balmy evenings, champagne and irresistible urges will keep all entertained.

But the core of the story continues. We still have one criminal out there who needs to be brought to justice. Ruby is determined to bring her father in and make him face what he did. She is a cop on a mission and will not be deterred.

Little by little, the gang is uniting to uncover the truth about all the secrets. They have discovered enough information to doubt who their father was, what really was going on with their mother, and why Larry is still not talking. Too many lies in their lives. Too many secrets. Be prepared for a big discovery.

Love this series! Not for the faint of heart... this deals with adult subjects but is a terrific read.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy with me.

Ruby is scarred by the tragic past of all the crimes her father has committed. She is afraid to be noticed by men so she dresses down trying to remain invisible. That may work for some but not for Ryan Steele. He can identify what she has loved through since they both have dealt with life that have involved tragedy. Ryan desperately wants to reach through the inner walls Ruby uses to,protect herself. As soon as a wall comes up he scales over it not letting her hide from the ghosts of her past that threatened to consume her. Will their pasts leave them alone or come back to haunt them?